November 9: Iraq and Syria civilian casualty assessments

November 9, 2016
Release Number 20161109-33
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Central Command Releases

TAMPA, Fla. — After months of reviewing reports and databases to resolve cases where Coalition air strikes may have resulted in civilian casualties, U.S. Central Command has determined that over the past year 24 U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria regrettably may have killed 64 civilians and injured 8 other civilians.

"We have teams who work full time, to prevent unintended civilian casualties," said Col. John J. Thomas, U.S. Central Command spokesperson.

"It's a key tenant of the counter-ISIL air campaign that we do not want to add to the tragedy of the situation by inflicting addition suffering. Sometimes civilians bear the brunt of military action but we do all we can to minimize those occurrences even at the cost of sometimes missing the chance to strike valid targets in real time," Thomas said.

Central Command thoroughly reviewed the facts and circumstances surrounding each report, officials said.

"The assessments determined that in each of these strikes the right processes were followed; each complied with Law of Armed Conflict and significant precautions were taken, despite the unfortunate outcome," he said.

Investigations were informed by the military's own records, combined with an exhaustive review of reports from outside sources from news media reports, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. Government departments and agencies.

Short descriptions of the 24 resolved cases are listed below.

"In most every case, when we determined there may have been civilian casualties from one of our airstrikes, we are choosing to list the largest number of possible civilian casualties. In cases where we just don't have the investigative resources or evidence to determine precisely how many people may have died, we went with the worst-case number to ensure a full accounting," Thomas said.

1. November 20, 2015, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that five civilians were killed and three individuals were injured after the civilians entered the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

2. March 5, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, on a strike against an ISIL weapons production facility it is assessed that 10 civilians were killed.

3. March 24, 2016, near Qayyarah, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.
4. April 1, 2016, near Raqqah, Syria, against ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

5. April 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

6. April 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, against ISIL military leadership, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

7. May 25, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.

8. May 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

9. May 29, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL weapons system, it is assessed that six civilians were killed.

10. June 15, 2016, near Kisik, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL weapons storage facility, it is assessed that six civilians were killed.

11. June 15, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during another strike against ISIL targets, it is assessed that two individuals were injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

12. June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike targeting an ISIL headquarters building, it is assessed that three individuals were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

13. June 23, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL-held building, it is assessed that four civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

14. June 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

15. June 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during another strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

16. July 3, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL fighting position, it is assessed that four civilians were killed.

17. July 10, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.

18. July 14, 2016, near Qayyarah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL-held building, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.

19. July 31, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

20. August 17, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.
21. August 20, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL artillery firing position, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

22. August 31, 2016, near Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.

23. September 7, 2016, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL oil collection point, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

24. September 10, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that five civilians were killed.